Interpersonal, emotional, and physical attraction have been widely explained using social psychological theories and how they relate to male/female relationships. In particular, dating sites and other platforms have used the theories to come up with appeals, hobbies, and passions that will bring together couples (Ha, Geertjan and Rutger 1064). Besides, the physical profile of an individual plays a significant role in determining whether a person will develop interest in them. On the other hand, younger adolescents perceive attractiveness as more important. The primary reason is because they desire to express themselves, want to have fun, and are passionate. However, as they age their focus on attractiveness shifts to other matters like compassion and thoughtfulness.
The Attachment Theory
In Sociology, variations in personal experiences play a significant role in the attachment style of individuals (Feeney and Patricia 281). The attachment theory sheds light on the issue of mate selection. The theory explains that the indicators of attachment anxiety and physical attractiveness come in handy in the development of male/female relationships. In particular, physical attractiveness is a variable that determines the likelihood of entering into a relationship or the number of dates to be planned in the future. On the other hand, the sexual strategies theory does not satisfactorily explain the role physical attraction plays towards the male/female relationships. The sexual strategies theory highlights that males and females possess sex differences that guide them in selecting a heterosexual mate (Poulsen et al. 302). However, the males and females can have similar mating behaviors but under some circumstances. Besides, the sexual differences are responsible for generating physical appeal and attractiveness. Hence, physical attraction acts as a symbol of fertility and thereby contributes to development of male/female relationships.
The attachment theory gives a strong account as to why attractiveness contributes significantly in male/female relationships. In particular, the theory introduces the attachment bond formed by a pair that is important in sexual reproduction. Whereas the sex strategies theory explains that men prefer short-term mating, it is important to consider that the growth and nourishment of infants is a long-term process. Moreover, most of the reproductive partnerships stay together for many years. Therefore, the fact that two heterosexual partners were attracted to one another, the end-result was attachment (Poulsen et al. 303). For this reason, the attachment theory explains that attractiveness generates a given behavior in male/female relationships which motivates these individuals to stay together. Apart from explaining the male/female relationships, the attachment theory can also shed light on parent-infant relationships. Hence, the attachment theory reveals that attractiveness that heterosexual mate develop contributes to long-term romantic relationships.
The Love is Blind Bias
The love-is-blind bias plays a role in explaining the male/female relationships as it states that individuals in fulfilling relationships tend to consider their partner more attractive than they view themselves. In Psychology, maintaining the belief that one is a good relationship helps to sustain it over a long period (Gagné and John 328). It is important to note that individuals who are in intimate relationships and fall under the higher social classes tend to have better physiological and psychological health compared to those who are socially isolated (Shults 5). For this reason, the focus on the romantic relationship has been primarily on what leads to the attachment between heterosexual partners. Moreover, there have been more divorce-related cases in the recent past that makes it mandatory to investigate the factors that contribute to satisfaction in relationships. The love-is-blind bias acts as a tactic whereby couples that rank the attractiveness of their partners high tend to derive more satisfaction. Hence, the theory plays a significant role in explaining the role of attractiveness in male/female relationships.
Physical attraction is in the same category with factors that assist in evaluating stable male/female relationships. In particular, physical attraction entails intimacy, passion, and commitment. For this reason, the love-is-blind bias acts as objective attractiveness that generates positive idealism, thoughts, and illusions in a relationship. The positive partner illusions when it comes to rating partners as more attractive creates the perceived satisfaction which strengthens male/female relationships (Shults 7). On the other hand, the positive illusions of the love-is-blind bias contribute to long-term and short-term self-esteem and self-perception. The Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale is one of the measures of love-is-blind bias indicating that is an important way of assessing the role of attractiveness in male/female relationships.
Attraction and Cross-sex Friendships
In Gender-sexuality studies, attractiveness in relationships is driven by motive (Robinson and Galen 59). There are four types of attraction that occur in cross-sex relationships. They include subjective physical/sexual attraction, friendship attraction, objective physical/sexual attraction, and romantic attraction (Reader 331). It is important to note that cross-sex friendships are currently considered differently from romantic relationships as male-female relationships do not necessarily have to be sexual and romantic. On the other hand, romantic and sexual attraction are vital for the formation of male-female friendships. Therefore, without romantic and sexual attraction, most relationships would not stay solid for long. Moreover, male-female friendships have romantic attraction traits even when these individuals are roommates. Hence, it becomes evident that attraction play a significant part when it comes to experience.
Childhood friendships are most at times same-sex. In particular, one-third of friendships in pre-school are cross-sex and the decline as children grow. Therefore, the interaction styles between males and females contribute to this occurrence at early phases of life. The girls offer support and agreement among themselves whereas boys engage in risk-taking (Reader 333). However, when a boy and a girl interact the assumption is that the two are heterosexually attracted to one another. In young adulthood, the cross-sex friendships become common as the males and females are in search of a mate. On the other hand, individuals reduce the number of cross-sex relationships they have as soon as they get married. The primary reason for this is because males and females are attracted to one another and attached by romantic bonds. Besides, individuals still retain sex-segregated tendencies when they approach old age.
Attraction as A Benefit or A Burden?
In Social Psychology, the mating strategies of males and females have evolved over time and have extended to cross-sex friendships (Safilios-Rothschild 379). In particular, cross-sex friendships entail personal, voluntary, and cooperative relationships that entail varying degree of mutual assistance, companionship, affection, and intimacy. For this reason, the bond that brings together a male and female counterpart in a cross-sex friendship is not marital nor blood-related. It is important to note that cross-sex friendships are more complicated than romantic partnerships. The primary reason is because cross-sex friends face challenges that revolve around matters such as the emotional bond shared, the gender equality, sexuality in the relationship, and the authenticity of the friendship (Bleske-Rechek et al. 570). The individuals involved in cross-sex relationships at times exhibit jealousy when one of them engages in a romantic relationship. Therefore, the fact that they are confronted with sexuality means that they are at times attracted to their cross-sex friends.
The varying levels of mating desires in cross-sex friendships depends on the intensity of attraction. In particular, approximately half of the cross-sex friends have engaged in sexual intercourse. Therefore, the manner in which a cross-sex friend depicts their counterpart when they think about them belonging to the opposite sex determines their level of attraction. Despite the varying levels, attraction remains a notable element when it comes to cross-sex friendships. Besides, the high rate of sexual intercourse between cross-sex friends has resulted in the term “friends with benefits” (Bleske-Rechek et al. 571). The reason for the attraction among cross-sex friends stems from societal underpinnings. The media channels have encouraged attraction among cross-sex friends and this has led to the romantic tension that these males and females experience. On the other hand, there is a functional underpinning behind the attraction in the cross-sex friendships. The psychological adaptations of men and women expose them to behaviors that may strengthen or terminate the cross-sex friendships. Moreover, the primary reason for the cross-sex friendships is for solving survival or reproduction-related problems. Thus, attraction plays a role in male/female relationships.
In conclusion, attraction in male and female relationships is characterized by passion, commitment, and intimacy between the partners. Besides, the attachment bond is responsible for sustaining romantic relationships in the long-term. It is important to note that the love-is-blind bias serves as the objective attraction in male/female relationships since the positive illusions and perceptions increase the satisfactory individuals derive from the relationship. Regarding cross-sex friendships, attraction is evident even when the male and female are neither blood-related nor have a marital bond. For this matter, the psychological theories assist in explaining the role of attraction in male/female relationships.
Works Cited
Bleske-Rechek, April, et al. "Benefit or burden? Attraction in cross-sex friendship." Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 29.5 (2012): 569-596.
Feeney, Judith A., and Patricia Noller. "Attachment style as a predictor of adult romantic relationships." Journal of personality and Social Psychology 58.2 (1990): 281.
Gagné, Faby M., and John E. Lydon. "Bias and accuracy in close relationships: An integrative review." Personality and Social Psychology Review 8.4 (2004): 322-338.
Ha, Thao, Geertjan Overbeek, and Rutger CME Engels. "Effects of attractiveness and social status on dating desire in heterosexual adolescents: An experimental study." Archives of Sexual Behavior 39.5 (2010): 1063-1071.
Poulsen, Franklin O., et al. "Physical attraction, attachment styles, and dating development." Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 30.3 (2013): 301-319.
Reeder, Heidi M. "'I like you... as a friend': The role of attraction in cross-sex friendship." Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 17.3 (2000): 329-348.
Robinson, Matthew J., and Galen T. Trail. "Relationships among spectator gender, motives, points of attachment, and sport preference." Journal of Sport management 19.1 (2005): 58-80.
Safilios-Rothschild, Constantina. "Toward a social psychology of relationships." Psychology of Women Quarterly 5.3 (1981): 377-384.
Shults, Jeanie. "Factors of Attraction and Relationship Satisfaction: The Love-is-Blind Bias and Perceived Risk of Infidelity." (2013).
